Power converter with multi-mode timing control
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorsGuofeng Jin, Yueming Sun
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A converter circuit includes a power stage circuit configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage provided at an output, and a control circuit configured to control the power stage circuit. The control circuit is configured to operate in one of a pulse frequency modulation (“PFM”) mode and a pulse width modulation (“PWM”) mode depending on a current supplied to the output. The control circuit includes a multi-mode timer circuit configured to provide a switching signal to set an off time for each switching cycle of the power stage circuit during the PFM mode and during the PWM mode.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a timer circuit having a first input configured to receive an input voltage of a power converter, a second input configured to receive an output voltage of the power converter, a third input configured to receive an error signal indicative of a difference between the output voltage and a reference voltage, the timer circuit having:
- a first voltage control current source configured to conduct, via a first node, a first current based on the error signal;
- a second voltage control current source configured to conduct, via a second node, a second current based on a voltage of the first node;
- and
- a comparator having a first input coupled to the second node, a second input coupled to a ground terminal, and a comparator output configured to provide a switching signal for the power converter.
An apparatus comprising:
- a timer circuit having:
- a resistor including a first terminal configured to receive an output voltage of a power converter, and a second terminal coupled to a first node;
- a capacitor including a first plate configured to receive an input voltage of the power converter, and a second plate coupled to a second node;
- a first voltage control current source configured to conduct, via the first node, a first current based on an error signal indicative of a difference between the output voltage and a reference voltage;
- a second voltage control current source configured to conduct, via the second node, a second current based on a voltage of the first node;
- and
- a comparator having a first input coupled to the second node, a second input coupled to a ground terminal, and a comparator output configured to provide a switching signal for the power converter.
A system comprising:
- a power converter configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage based on a pulse modulation signal;
- and
- a control circuit including:
- a resistor including a first terminal configured to receive the output voltage of the power converter, and a second terminal coupled to a first node;
- a capacitor including a first plate configured to receive the input voltage of the power converter, and a second plate coupled to a second node;
- a first voltage control current source configured to conduct, via the first node, a first current based on an error signal indicative of a difference between the output voltage and a reference voltage;
- a second voltage control current source configured to conduct, via the second node, a second current based on a voltage of the first node;
- a comparator having a first input coupled to the second node, a second input coupled to a ground terminal, and a comparator output configured to provide a switching signal for the power converter;
- and
- a set-reset (SR) latching having a reset input, a set input coupled to receive the switching signal, and a latch output configured to provide the pulse modulation signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.